- Operation Date
- 10th July 1943
OPERATION AT CAPO MURRO DI PORCO.
Object:- To capture and destroy one coastal defence battery at CAPO MURRO DI PORCO in Sicily, with subsequent objectives at our discretion.
Method:- To land the Squadron by L.C.As. at 0245 hrs., South of the objective.
Date:- Night 10/11th July, 1943.
Strength:- S.R.Squadron, 287 all ranks.
Execution:- The operation lasted from 0315 hrs., 10th July until midday 12th July, 1943.
Situation at that time:-
Subsequent Operations:- The main task being successfully achieved the Squadron assembled at Farm DAMERIO and Major R.B. Mayne, D.S.O. decided to push North-westwards and attack C.D. Battery which had opened fire on us.
0600hrs. Left Farm DAMERIO and proceeded towards new objective. Several bunches of enemy snipers and many defended farms were mopped up:- C. VACCHE, C. MALLIA, Mass. SALISIA, C. CORICA, Mass. ALACONA, etc.
In ALACONA Farm we found several Airborne personnel badly wounded, and freed several others who were prisoners of the enemy.
Pushing forward 3" Mortars engaged the gun positions and a rangefinder. Nos. 1 and 2 Troops attacked, and after meeting with strong opposition captured the gun positions and destroyed 5 A.A. guns of 75mm calibre, one large rangefinder 4 4" Mortars, several M.Gs. and L.M.Gs.
No. 1 Troop moved forward and one section captured gun position, destroying:
In the meantime our 3" Mortars successfully engaged gun positions, setting alight and blowing up one ammo. dump.
1600 hrs. Left Farm ALACONA proceeded towards the main road ROSSOLINI-SYRACUSE, to join 5th DIV., and mopped up several defended farms on the way down, in addition to bunches of snipers.
July 11th:- The Squadron moved up to farm which we occupied, captured 50Callini and normal complement.
July 12th:- The Squadron moved to SYRACUSE where it was ferried to the "Ulster Monarch".
Object:- To capture and destroy one coastal defence battery at CAPO MURRO DI PORCO in Sicily, with subsequent objectives at our discretion.
Method:- To land the Squadron by L.C.As. at 0245 hrs., South of the objective.
Date:- Night 10/11th July, 1943.
Strength:- S.R.Squadron, 287 all ranks.
Execution:- The operation lasted from 0315 hrs., 10th July until midday 12th July, 1943.
Mother Ships:-
H.M.S. "Ulster Monarch" (6 L.C.As.)
H.M.S. "Dunera" (3 L.C.As., No. 3 Troop)
0315 hrs. L.C.As. reached the coast and landed the Squadron without casualties or enemy opposition. Our 3" Mortars immediately engaged the C.D. Battery with success, lighting fires in the defended area. No. 1 Troop attacked Northwards, No. 2 Troop making a left flanking movement attacked southwards. No. 3 Troop attacked the Farm DAMERIO also covering Nos. 1 and 2 Troops.
0430 hrs. the C.D. Battery was taken after some fighting and destroyed at about 0500 hrs.
Situation at that time:-
Destroyed:- 4 C.D. guns 6" calibre,
3 L.A.A. guns 20mm. calibre,
1 Range-finder,
Several M.Gs. and L.M.Gs.
Prisoners:- 50-60
Own Casualties:- None.
Miscellaneous:- Several Airborne personnel including Brig. Hicks were found.
Subsequent Operations:- The main task being successfully achieved the Squadron assembled at Farm DAMERIO and Major R.B. Mayne, D.S.O. decided to push North-westwards and attack C.D. Battery which had opened fire on us.
0600hrs. Left Farm DAMERIO and proceeded towards new objective. Several bunches of enemy snipers and many defended farms were mopped up:- C. VACCHE, C. MALLIA, Mass. SALISIA, C. CORICA, Mass. ALACONA, etc.
In ALACONA Farm we found several Airborne personnel badly wounded, and freed several others who were prisoners of the enemy.
Pushing forward 3" Mortars engaged the gun positions and a rangefinder. Nos. 1 and 2 Troops attacked, and after meeting with strong opposition captured the gun positions and destroyed 5 A.A. guns of 75mm calibre, one large rangefinder 4 4" Mortars, several M.Gs. and L.M.Gs.
No. 1 Troop moved forward and one section captured gun position, destroying:
3 C.D. Guns, 6" calibre
1 A.A. Gun, 40 mm. calibre
2 L.A.A.Guns, 20 mm. calibre.
1 Rangefinder
Several M.Gs. and L.M.Gs.
Prisoners:- The Battery Comdr. and personnel.In the meantime our 3" Mortars successfully engaged gun positions, setting alight and blowing up one ammo. dump.
1600 hrs. Left Farm ALACONA proceeded towards the main road ROSSOLINI-SYRACUSE, to join 5th DIV., and mopped up several defended farms on the way down, in addition to bunches of snipers.
July 11th:- The Squadron moved up to farm which we occupied, captured 50Callini and normal complement.
July 12th:- The Squadron moved to SYRACUSE where it was ferried to the "Ulster Monarch".
RESUME OF THE OPERATION.
Material Captured and/or destroyed:-7 C.D. Guns 6" Calibre.
5 A.A. Guns 75mm Calibre.
1 A.A. Gun 40mm Calibre.
5 L.A.A. Guns 20mm Calibre.
4 4-inch mortars.
3 Rangefinders.
Numerous M.Gs. and L.M.Gs.
Over 500 prisoners
Approx. 200 enemy killed or wounded.
Own Casualties.Killed in Action:- Cpl. G. Caton, 10th July 1943, buried at farm ALACONA on left side of lane leading to farm, 50 yds from latter.
Wounded:-
Pte. ALLEN, A. both 10. 7. 43.
Pte. HILL, H.
Equipment Lost:- 2 Berets, 1 Water-bottle.
Awards for this operation:-Major R.B. Mayne, D.S.O., awarded bar to D.S.O. on 20. 8. 43.
Major H.W. Poat, awarded M.C. 21. 8. 43.
Lt. J.M. Wiseman, awarded M.C. 21. 8. 43.
Sgt. R. Seekings, D.C.M., awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
L/Sgt. J. Sillito, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
L/Sgt. A. Frame, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
Cpl. C. Dalziel, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
L/C. T. Jones, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
Pte. J. Noble, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
Pte. A. Skinner, awarded M.M. 20. 8. 43.
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